Cork or plug for holloiw tiles



7 Sept. 22, 1936. F. A. STIRRUP 2,055,184

CORK OR PLUG FOR HOLLOW TILES Filed NOV. 25, 1932 I6 INVENTOR.

fim/wr ,4. ST/RRl/P ATTORN Patented Sept. 22, 1936 UNITED STATES CORK ORPLUG FOR HOLLOW TILES Frank A. Stirrup, Westfield, N. J., assignor ofone-third to Albert C. Ayer, Scarsdale, N. Y., and one-third to Frank F.Engstrom, Newark,

Application November 25, 1932; Serial No. 644,226

11 Claims.

This invention relates to corks or plugs, particularly designed for usein sealing or closing the ends of hollow tiles, blocks or slabs,'used inthe construction of buildings; and the object of the invention is toprovide a closure'device of the class described fashioned from a sheetof inexpensive material, preferably sheet metal, and so formed as toprovide on opposed edges thereof means for engaging the walls. of achamber or passage in a hollow body to retain the device againstdisplacement therefrom; a further object being to provide closuredevices of the class described wherein the retaining means are in theform of flexing prongs or tongues projecting from opposite side portionsof the device and adapted to engage the hollow body in connection withwhich the device is mounted by placing the prongs or tongues undercompression; a further object being to provide in conjunction withand/or as part of said prongs freely flexing sidewall members includingat their ends laterally extending flanges for limiting inward movementof the cork or plug devices in the chamber of a hollow body todefinitely position said devices therein; a further object being to sofashion the closure devices from sheet material as to eliminate anypossible waste of material and to form the greatest number of suchdevices possible from a sheet or strip of material; and with these andother objects in view, the invention consists in a device of the classand for the purpose specified, which is sim ple in construction,efiicient in use, and which is constructed as hereinafter described andclaimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, ofwhich the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate partsof my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters ineach of the views, and in which:

' Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one end of a building tile showing anumber of my improved devices mounted in the chambers thereof.

Fig. 2 is a partial, transverse sectional view through two adjacenttiles showing my devices mounted therein and illustrating thearrangement of a concrete or other body therebetween.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the blank from which the devices shown in Figs.1 and 2 are formed.

Fig. 4 is a'plan view of a modified form of device.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing another modification.

Fig. 6 is a detail, perspective view of a part of the device shown inFig. 5; and,

Fig. '7 is a sectional view through one edge of a 5 tile showing amodified form of closure.

The cork, plug or other closure device herein shown, described 'andclaimed, constitutes an improvement on a similar device shown, describedand claimed in a prior application for Letters 10 Patent of the UnitedStates filed by me October 1, 1932, and. bearing Serial Number 635,710.

In the present construction, I have indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawing,one end portion of a building tile l0 having three chambers or passages"extending therethrough. At I2, I have shown a cork or plug arranged toclose the end of each of the passages I l The blank from which the plugsshown in Fig. 1 are formed, is illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing. 0

In Fig. 2 of the drawing, I have shown in section the adjacent ends oftwo tiles ll], Illa and at H, Ha, I have shown the bores or chambersthereof. The corks or plugs are shown at l2, lZa, for closing thechambers ll, Ila, and between 25 adjacent plugs and tiles is a body ofconcrete l3 which extends into the chambers I I, Ila, to the extentpermitted by the corks [2, I211, thus forming key concrete bodies forkeying the tile one with the other, and thus forming large hol- 39 lowchambers within the tile.

As set forth in said earlier application, the advantages of providingcorks, plugs or closures of the class described is to effect a materialsaving in the. amount of concrete used in conjunction with the tile informing concrete, floor and ceiling constructions, or in fact,in formingany type of concrete structure in which hollow tiles are used andarranged in the manner disclosed. This also saves in the cost of thesteel structural work as lighter steel frames may be employed.

While I have illustrated my invention as applied to concrete tiles, itwill also be understood at this time that my improved closure devicesmay be used in conjunction with other hollow 45 bodies. The plug 12 isfashioned from a sheet or strip of material which is blanked to formextending and flexible side and end wall members l4. Three of these wallmembers are shown on one side of the device, two on the opposite side,50

two at one end and one at the other end in the construction shown.Between the multiple wall members I4 are spaces l5 which are of a widthequal to the width of the wall members so that in blanking, the two sidewall members are formed from the two recesses between the three sidewall members of an adjacent strip. In like manner, the end wall membersare formed. Centrally of each recess i5 is an outwardly projecting prongmember It, the inclination of which with respect to the centralrectangular body ll of the blank is not as great as the inclination ofthe walls M. In fact, in some cases, it may be desirable to allow themembers l6 to extend outwardly in the plane of the central portion l1and to be flexed outwardly in the operation of inserting the device inone of theflanges is arranged to engagethe outer ends of the tile tolimit the inward movement of the plug as will be apparent.

It will also be understood that I am not necessarily limited to the useof the end walls M or the prongs E6 on the ends of the central body H,as the prongs and walls may be arranged on the sidesonly of said centralbody as in the arrangements shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawing.

Due to slight unevenness in. the wall structure of thebores orlchambersH or" tile or of concrete blocks, and further, in the slight differencesin the dimensions of said chambers, it is practical and desirable toconstruct or shape the main body portion ll of the plug so as to fit thesmallest boreor passage H and rely upon the inward flexure of the wallsM to compensate for any irregularities in' the dimensions or contour ofsaid .bores or passages. By providing the relatively short projectingprongs, a firm and relatively rigid engaging prong or prongs areprovided which will flex outwardly. in mounting the closure device inthe bore or passage of a tile, and yet insure the plug against anypossible accidental displacement from the tile, it being apparent thatthe prongs it, by virtue of their arc-shaped contour, will establishpractically a point engagement with the 'wall of the tile and willengage such wall under compression. .It will also be understood that inforcing the plugs in position, the flanges l9 will engage the outeredges of the tile and thus limit inward movement of the plugs, and whenproperly placed, it will require definite, forcible pressure to removethe plugs from the tile. At this time, it will be understood that myinvention is not necessarily limited to any particular number of thetongues or prongs l6 nor to any particular contour therefor.

In Fig. 4 ofthe drawing, I haveshown a slight modification wherein acentral body 20 similar to the body I! has projecting flexible walls 2iat opposite sides thereof, said walls terminating at their outer ends inflanges 22 similar to the flanges l9. Instead of providing the prongs itwithin the openings 23 between the walls 2l,.I

form a plurality of tongues Mfrom the material ofeach of the walls 2i.

In the construction shown, three of these tongues are formed fromeachwall, one at the base of the wall and similar in this respect to thetongues l6 and the others adjacent the outer ends of the walls 2|. Withthis construction, all of the tongues 24 will be disposed at a lessinclination to the body H] than the walls 2!, and the outermost tongues24 will be inclined preferably to a degree intermediate that of the wall2| and tongues 24.

As stated in connection with the structure shown in Fig. 3 of thedrawing, the lower tongues which are shown larger in Fig. 4 of thedrawing may extend in alinement with the body 25 and have no inclinationwhatever.

In Fig. 5 of the drawing, I have shown another modification whichdiffers from the structure shown in Figs. 3 and 4 in that the inclinedside walls 25 at opposite sides of the rectangular body 26 are providedwith angular prongs 2'! which are fashioned from the material thereofand extend at right angles to the plane of the 'walls 25 to engage thewalls of the tile passages I I as will be understood, especially from aconsideration of Fig. 6 of the drawing, in which a perspective view ofone wall and the prong 21 is shown.

At the outer end of the walls 25 are angular flanges 28 which limit theinward movement of the plug as in the use of the flanges 19. It willalso be noted upon a. consideration of Fig. 5 of the drawing that thetongue or prong 21 of one wall is cut from the wall of an adjacent plugin the blanking operation, thus forming the recesses 29, and the walls25 from one side of the blank are arranged in alinement with therecesses between the Walls at the opposite side of the blank toeliminate the loss of material in the construction of my improveddevices.

In Fig. '7 of the drawing, I have shown a slight modification of theconstruction shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, wherein one continuous cork,plug or closure 30 is substituted for the three independent closures l2shown in Fig. 1. The device 30 has plug parts 30a, 30b and 300 which areof the general construction of the separate plugs l2, with the exceptionthat the upper and lower yielding walls M are eliminated as well as theupper and lower prongs I6 and the adjacent yielding side walls 3! of theparts 39a, b and 39b, 390 are continuous instead of being cut out, thatis to say, are of a width equal to the width of the strip from which thecomplete device 39 is formed and fashioned from these walls are aplurality of prongs 32 similar to the prongs It or the lower prongs 24of the construction shown in Fig. 4.

The walls 3| are connected by an outer wall 33 which passes over theouter face of the partition wall 34 between the chambers 35 of the tile36, and these outer walls 33 are preferably beaded outwardly as seen at3'! so as to provide flexure of the walls 33 to permit separation of thewalls 3| to compensate for different thicknesses of the partitions 34.At the outer ends of the parts 30a and 300 are independent flexing wallmembers 38, between which are prongs 39. These wall members terminate attheir ends in flanges which seat upon the outer edge of the tile. Thewalls 38 and prongs 39 are in all respects similar to the walls [4 andprongs l6 of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive.

With the construction shown in Fig. 7, it will be apparent that a tileor block of any kind or class having two or more bores or chamberstherein may be closed by corks, plugs or the like having two or moreplug parts united together to form a unitary construction. It will thusbe seen that with this type of a device, the placement of the corks orplugs will be simplified.

It will also be understood that the types of closure devices shown inFigs. 4 and 5 of the drawing as well as other forms may be made up inthe dual construction, and further, that the particular manner ofjoining the multiple plug tile may b varied to suit differentrequirements.-

It will be apparent" that in theuse of my improved devices, both'endsof'the bores or chambers in tilesor building blocks will be closed by myimproved corks or plugs, and as these plugs extend into the chambers ofthe tile, they will form therein key or anchor members of concrete whichwill prevent any possible shifting or movement of the tile one withrespect to the other. While I have shown the main body portion of thecorks or plugs of a plain wall construction, it will be understood thatI am not necessarily limited in this respect, nor am I limited to thespecific shape and form of the corks herein shown and described, andvarious changes in and modi-' fications of the construction hereindisclosed may be made within the scope of the appended claimswithoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing itsadvantages.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A cork or plug device for mounting in the chamber of a hollow member,said device comprising a central closure body, the peripheral edges ofsaid body having relatively short prongs adapted to engage the walls ofsaid chamber under compression in securing said device within saidchamber, and means on said device independent of said prongs forlimiting the inward movement thereof into the chamber of said member andfor positioning the body portion of the device within said chamber.

2. A cork or plug device for mounting in the chamber of a hollow member,said device comprising a central closure body, the peripheral edges ofsaid body having relatively short prongs adapted to engage the walls ofsaid chamber under compression in securing said devices with in saidchamber, means on said device independent of said prongs for limitingthe inward movement thereof into the chamber of said member, and saidmeans comprising flanges formed at the outer ends of yielding andangularly disposed walls at the periphery of said body.

3. A cork or plug device of the class described consisting of a largebody of sheet material, opposed edges of which are provided withoutwardly flaring yielding side wall members adapted to flex inwardly inmounting the device in the chamber of a hollow member, and said sideWall members including prongs fashioned from the material thereof andextending outwardly with respect to said side walls and adapted toengage the walls of said chamber under compression to retain the deviceagainst displacement.

4. A cork or plug device of the class described consisting of a body ofsheet material, opposed edges of which are provided with outwardlyflaring yielding wall members adapted to flex inwardly in mounting thedevice in the chamber of a hollow member, said side wall membersincluding prongs fashioned from the material thereof and extendingoutwardly with respect to said side walls and adapted to engage thewalls of said chamber under compression to retain the device againstdisplacement, and the free ends cfsaid side wall members terminating inangular flanges for limiting inward movement of the device with respectto its support and for positional area of the chamber in the tile,prongs formed on the peripheral edges of said body adapted to engage thewalls of said chamber under compression to retain said body againstdisplacement therefrom, and means on the edge portions of said body-forlimiting the inward movement thereof in the chamber of the tile and forpositioning the body portion of the device a predetermined distanceinwardly of the outer edge of the tile.

6. In building tile of the class described employing hollow chambersextending therethrough, means for corking the open ends of the chambersin said tile to limit the admission of concrete in said chambers whenplaced or poured around the tile, said means comprising a thin bodyportion of an area substantially equal to the cross sectional area ofthe chamber in the tile, prongs formed on the peripheral edges of saidbody adapted to engage the walls of said chamber under compression toretain said body against displacement therefrom, said body includingyielding side wall members, and said prongs being fashioned from thematerial of said Wall members.

7. In building tile of the class described employing hollow chambersextending therethrough, means for corking the open ends of the chambersin said tile to limit the admission of concrete in said chambers whenplaced or poured around the tile, said means comprising a thin bodyportion of an area substantially equal to the cross sectional area ofthe chamber in the .tile, prongs formed on the peripheral edges of saidbody adapted to engage the walls of said chamber under compression toretain said body against displacement therefrom, said body includingyielding side wall members, said prongs being fashioned from thematerial of said wall members, and the Wall members at one side of saidbody being disposed intermediate the wall members at the opposite sidethereof.

8. In building material of the class described employing hollow chambersopening through the ends thereof, a cork for closing the openings ofsaid chambers, said cork being fashioned from a sheet of material themain body portion of which is of a contour substantially similar to thecross sectional area of the chamber to be closed thereby, said bodyportion having angularly projecting side wall members having meansengaging outer edges of the boundary walls of said chamber in supportingthe cork within the chamber a predetermined distance, and prongsextending from opposite sides of said body portion and adapted to engagethe walls of said chamber under compression to retain the cork againstaccidental displacement therefrom.

9. A cork or plug of the class described comprising a sheet metal body,peripheral edges of said body having outwardly flaring, yielding sidewall members terminating at their ends in outwardly extending angularflanges, and independently yielding prongs at the periphery of said bodyto aid in holding the body against displacement from a support.

compression.

10. A closure device of the class described comprising a body of sheetmaterial fashioned to form a plurality of plug parts adapted to bemounted in a plurality ofchambers or bores in a hollowmember, means onthe plug parts for retaining the same against displacement from thechambers of said member, said means involving yielding side Walls oneach of said plug parts,

and prongs at the sides of said plug parts adapted to engage the Wallsof said chamber under '11. A closure device of the class describedcomprising a body of sheet material fashioned to form a plurality ofplug parts adapted to be mounted in a plurality of chambers or bores ina hollow member, means on the plug parts for retaining the same againstdisplacement from the chambers of said member, and yielding meansintermediate the plug parts permitting relative movement between saidparts to adjustably engage supports disposed intermediate said parts. l0

FRANK A. S'I'IRRUP.

